A difficult story about Malaya (now known as Malaysia) in 1945 as Cecily Alcantara's family, as well as every other family in their village is in danger from the Japanese who had ousted the British. A decade earlier, Cecily had been lured into sharing secrets with General Fujiwara by the dream of Asia for Asians. But, this new occupier is so much worse and brutal. At times, this book was difficult to read. This is also another piece of history that I didn't know anything about. ( )

This book is a very well-written, immersive novel that examines a time that was not familiar to me. It is set in Malaya during WWII when Japan took it over from the British. JuJube and her family lost the life of privilege that they had during the colonization by Britain, and become a family that is scared, starving and that has lost hope and a family that had to fight for their existence under the Japanese. The novel is full of graphic and poignant moments and it examines themes like family, social status, unfriendly occupation, death and despair. The story is one that needs to be told, but I found it difficult to listen to. I did listen to this on audiobook, and this type of story does not lend itself to that medium as well as it should. I found that I had trouble getting through the story because of the graphic descriptions, and because I did not like any of the characters in it at all. I could not sympathize with Cecily as much as I wanted to. I couldn't understand JuJube and Cecily's younger daughter, Jasmine. The only character that I sympathized with was Abel, her son. The book illustrates clearly the consequences of keeping very dangerous secrets. The ripple effect works it way down through the entire family and all friends and acquaintances with dire consequences. The book is compelling and quite unforgettable, and grips the reader by the throat until you read the final, bitter words. . ( )

this is a historical fiction novel set in Malay (now Malaysia), in the years 1935 and 1945. It tells the story of Cecily who becomes a spy for the Japanese, and falls in love with the general. Several years later, they reunite, but he is now married to Lina. However, they continue their affair.
Children are disappearing and being abused in the war ravaged country. The story comes to a head in 1945, when the British forces come to Malay to liberate the country, however, the casualties of war and betrayal are too great.
The story is absolutely heartbreaking when it tells of Jasmin and Yuki, two 7-year old friends. Jasmin ran away from her mother, Cecily, and the general housed her. She became friends with Yuki, who lived across the street. Their friendship is the most heartwarming, but saddest part of the story. Jasmin ran away because her sister, Jujube, trying to keep Jasmin safe, would lock her away. Their brother Abel went to war and suffered greatly.
Such a stark and poignant tale of the atrocities of what war does to us. ( )

This takes place just before and during the Japanese occupation of Maylasia during the 1930-46 time period. I hadn't known much about this part of the war, and found it beautifuly written with well developed, realistic characters as well as heartbreaking and brutal. Typical with historica l fiction I'm trying to figure out the accuracy of the story. The author talks about how her family were great storytellers of everything but this time period where they would say nothing about what went on. Later her Uncle began to share photos when he heard she was writing about it. ( )

At the tail end of WWII, this book explores the lives of the Alcatara family in Malaya. Teenage son Abel was snatched off the street and sent to a work camp, Jasmin, the youngest, hides in the basement to avoid being sent to a comfort station, and eldest Jujube is doing everything she can to keep the family together. Cecily, the mother, rehashes her past, racked with guilt over her past and how it might have led to the invasion.

This book shows the interesting dynamic between the Malay, British and Japanese people. I did not particularly like Cecily, and found the back and forth in her timeline to slow the book down. I thought Abe’s story was particularly fascinating, as he struggled to survive in a word camp. Overall, 4 out of 5 stars. ( )